Staffordshire man's gallery of character jugs is a who’s who of famous faces

Sale date Monday 4th August

A STAFFORDSHIRE man’s gargantuan gallery of character jugs lovingly collected over a quarter of a century is heading for auction in Lichfield.

A who’s who of famous faces ranging from royalty and entertainment to historical figures and literary personalities beam out from more than 300 jugs, with others depicting occupations from different walks of life.

Catalogued across more than 100 lots, the collection also features a number of Toby jugs and other ceramic figures.

They all go under the hammer at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, in the Antique & Home Sale on Monday, August 4.

Character jugs typically feature the subject’s head and shoulders, whereas a Toby jug depicts a seated figure’s whole body.

Pieces range from the 19th to the 20th century with manufacturers and designers including Royal Doulton, Beswick, Burlington, Shorter and Son, Roy Kirkham, Tony Wood, Wood and Sons, Rockingham, Peggy Davies and Kevin Francis.

Early examples include 19th century treacle glazed Toby jug and there are even Toby jugs depicting pottery pioneers Sir Henry Doulton, Clarice Cliff and Peggy Davies.

The collection was built by Tamworth man John Perryman, who passed away suddenly in February aged 79.

His son Matthew, 41, said: “When I moved out aged 16 or 17 he had four or five character jugs.

“Then he started getting more interested in collecting them and it became his hobby.

“From then on he just collected over a steady period. He knew everything about them and had shelves and shelves in the living room, separated into different categories.

“It is a huge collection and too many for me to deal with. If they go to auction then I know they will go to other people who are interested in them.”

Character jugs depict historical figures such as Charles I, Henry VIII and his six wives, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, Winston Churchill, Lord Admiral Nelson, Sir Francis Drake, Shakespeare, Guy Fawkes, Dick Whittington and Lewis Carroll, with numerous characters from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland.

Entertainment stars and musicians include Buddy Holly, Groucho Marx, Mae West, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Sir Edward Elgar and Tchaikovsky, with other jugs featuring popular figures such as Father Christmas, Quasimodo, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, D’Artagnan and The Three Musketeers Porthos, Athos and Aramis, Desperate Dan, Dennis The Menace and Gnasher, Captain Hook, Neptune and Merlin.

There are even jugs depicting Wild West legends Doc Holliday, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickock, Annie Oakley and Wyatt Earp and special two-faced character jugs of star-crossed lovers – Napoleon and Josephine, Samson and Delilah – and antagonists such as American Civil War opponents Ulysees S Grant and Robert E Lee.

Well-known figures are joined by walks of life with occupations such police, fire service and town criers – two of which are rare colourways.

Auctioneer Richard Winterton said: “What a marvellous collection! It’s a veritable gallery of famous faces and perusing them is a real who’s who from royalty and historical figures to literary characters and stars from the world of entertainment.

“We anticipate the whole collection to fetch hundreds of pounds but more important is recognising and celebrating the dedication of a true enthusiast for these characterful collectables.”

The sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, starts at 9am on Monday, August 4.

Viewing in person takes place on Friday, August 1, between 10am and 4pm. The catalogue goes live a week beforehand and can be viewed online here.

To arrange a free valuation of all types of antiques and collectables, call 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.